A botanical oasis offering respite, social connection, and nature engagement to people living with dementia, caregivers, and the wider community.
Inspired by the continuing interest in nature and garden experiences in our community, the Memory and Brain Wellness Center created a therapeutic memory garden for people living with dementia. Named Maude's Garden in honor of our late community member and advocate Maude M. Ferry, this memory garden is uniquely designed to enhance the lives of people living with dementia and their families, as well as provide a relaxing, restorative space for all. The garden serves as a spot for drop-in exploration, socializing, and nature-based activities. This memory garden opened March 2022 at the Memory Hub, located beside the Frye Art Museum.
The garden design process is ongoing and incorporates feedback from community members living with memory loss and care partners from a focus group in February of 2020, as well as lessons learned from the Garden Discovery Walks program of the MBWC/Seattle Parks and Recreation and a visit to our friends at the Portland Memory Garden.
Key Features of Maude's Garden
We applied and built on the key features of therapeutic landscape design in our process of creating a garden for people living with memory loss and their loved ones.
What's Growing in the Garden
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“Making memories with my brother”: December’s Garden Discovery ProgramDecember 31, 2023
The December Garden Discovery program engaged participants in creating seasonal wreaths with evergreen branches (provided courtesy of Seattle Parks and Recreation), and winter accents such as eucalyptus, holly, and ivy.
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The glow of November’s Garden Discovery ProgramNovember 30, 2023
A warm and cozy November garden program
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Garden of Inspiration Art Show - Reflections
November 30, 2023
This fall, the Memory Hub held an art exhibit in Maude’s Garden. Genevieve Wanucha, Maude’s Garden project lead, shares some memories.
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“There is happiness between the flowers”: October’s Garden Discovery ProgramOctober 31, 2023
"Perpetual flowers" are made of dried corncobs, corn husks, twine, and bamboo sticks.
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When mental health therapy starts in the garden - in the Seattle TimesAugust 25, 2023
A new Seattle Times article spotlights Maude's Garden, the therapeutic memory garden at the Memory Hub community center. Hannah Furfaro interviews some of the garden's creators to communicate the benefits of gardens to people living with memory loss. The article features incredible photos of our unique green space. Take a peek!
Program and Activities Schedule
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Garden Discovery Program - Spring
Friday, May 3, 2024 at 10:30am
Join us in the garden at the Memory Hub. Discover changes through the season, engage in nature-based projects, and learn about this public "memory garden," created for people living with dementia and their families in this 3-part series (April 5, May 3, and June 7).
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Garden Discovery Program - Spring
Friday, June 7, 2024 at 10:30am
Join us in the garden at the Memory Hub. Discover changes through the season, engage in nature-based projects, and learn about this public "memory garden," created for people living with dementia and their families in this 3-part series (April 5, May 3, and June 7).
Thank you to our donors and creators:
